How to Celebrate guide - Public Service …

1 How to Celebrate guide Join us in celebrating pu b l i c s e rv i ce reco gn itio n week WHAT IS Public Service RECOGNITION RESOURCES TO HELP YOU. WEEK? We hope you will join the Partnership for Public Ser- Celebrated the first full week in May since 1985, Pub- vice (Partnership) and the Public Employees Round- lic Service Recognition Week (PSRW) is a time set aside table (PER) in this year's PSRW celebration. The Part- to honor the men and women who serve our nation as nership and PER understand that many celebrants federal, state, county and local government employees. around the country often have very limited budgets, Throughout the nation and the world, Public servants time and space to carry out a PSRW celebration, and so use this occasion to educate others about the work they we developed this guide to help you observe in a low- do and why they have chosen Public Service careers, as cost way Public Service Recognition Week in your com- well as the many ways government services make life munities.

2 Better for all of us. Additional resources and sample document templates From the steps of the Capitol to the smallest towns, are available online at to help facilitate your Public servants will participate in ceremonies, infor- participation in PSRW whether you are are from a mation fairs, parades and other events in their honor. government agency, Federal Executive Board (FEB), At the same time, they will work to open new avenues military base or school. In particular, these online re- of communication with the Public about the essential sources provide ideas and tools to help you reach out to value of government Service in sustaining the quality your community, the media and local educators. of American life. Many of the ideas are simple, fun and inexpensive. Oth- ers require more coordination, planning and prepara- tion.

3 Whatever you do, it's a step toward Public servants recieving the respect and appreciation they deserve. For more information Call us at (202) 775-9111 or e-mail for more information about how your organiza- tion can participate in PSRW. Complete program details are also available at pu bl i c s e rv i c e reco gn itio n week H ow Yo u C a n H e lp GOALS OF PSRW GET EVERYONE INVOLVED. During PSRW, the Partnership and PER hope that Use PSRW to reach a wide range of audiences and build Public employees use the week to educate citizens new partnerships with other Public employees, associ- about the work they do and why they have chosen ations, community organizations and private corpora- Public Service careers, as well as the many ways gov- tions. The image of Public employees is strengthened ernment services make life better for the American when citizens see us working in cooperation with each people.

4 Specifically, the goals of the program are to: other and with the community. Consider collaborat- ing with any of the following groups when formulating Connect and educate citizens nationwide to the your PSRW plans: work of their government. Federal Executive Boards ( ) and Fed- Improve the perception and morale of federal eral Executive Associations, which represent fed- workers and other Public servants. eral agencies located outside Washington, ;. Help inspire a new generation of Public servants. Public employee unions;. PSRW MESSAGES Local chapters of Public Employee Roundtable PSRW is the perfect time to inform the American peo- member associations, , ASPA, NARFE (please ple about what Public employees do, why they do it see for a complete list with contact de- and how well they do it.)

5 Additionally, we want to foster tails);. pride among Public servants and introduce the Public Military bases;. to the wide range of employment opportunities in gov- ernment. Event attendees will walk away with the fol- Local affiliates of government organizations, , lowing key messages: National Association of Counties, National Gover- nors Association, National League of Cities;. Government workers are doing important work that positively affects all of us every day. Local Combined Federal Campaigns;. Government needs people like you to address the College and university students;. incredible challenges our nation is facing. Public elementary and secondary schools;. Public servants deserve thanks for working dili- Local businesses that can display posters or spon- gently on our behalf.

6 Sor your events;. Government Service is Public Service . Citizen support groups like the PTA, League of Women Voters and Better Government Associa- tion;. Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, Explorers and other youth groups who care about good citizenship;. Civic groups like Kiwanis, Rotary International, Masonic lodges and others who may welcome speakers on good government during PSRW;. Local law enforcement departments and affiliates of national associations; and Local government offices such as the Mayor's of- fice, Health Department, Veteran's Affairs, etc. pu bl i c s e rv i c e reco gn itio n week EM PLOY EE RECO G N ITION AC TIVITIES. At the heart of Public Service Recognition Week is the PROCLAMATIONS. opportunity to invigorate government workers by of- Proclamations are a simple way to help bring attention fering them the thanks they richly deserve but seldom to PSRW and to ensure that federal officials are aware receive.

7 During this week-long celebration, it's impor- of its existence. To help you request one from your gov- tant to honor Public employees and tell them their ded- ernor, mayor, city council or other official, we have put ication and Service are noticed and appreciated. together a sample proclamation and request letter in our online resources. Once you receive your proclama- AWARDS tion, you can arrange for it to be presented at a Public PSRW is an ideal time to recognize outstanding indi- event, such as a PSRW awards ceremony or city coun- vidual employees, teams of employees or programs. cil meeting. Peer awards are particularly effective, and awards programs, rather than individuals, demonstrate that Example: government can be effective and excellence is the rule During its 2009 PSRW awards celebration, the Los rather than the exception.

8 You can show appreciation Angeles FEB incorporated the mayoral proclamation to: into its ceremony and program. Additionally, the FEB. asked its Representatives, State Senators and State Government employees who have served a distin- Assembly members to serve as honorary co-chairs of guished career in Public Service . the event. Government employees, teams or groups who do- nate their personal time to activities that benefit OTHER EMPLOYEE RECOGNITION IDEAS. the community. Organize an employee appreciation event or rally. Volunteers from the community who donate their Remarks can come from agency heads, elected of- time to assist your agency. ficials or local celebrities. Hold an appreciation breakfast, picnic or ice cream Example: social. Consider co-hosting with your local Com- For more than 40 years, the Baltimore Federal Execu- bined Federal Campaign, which will help boost at- tive Board has recognized outstanding regional federal tendance, promote CFC and honor the generosity employees in an awards ceremony and luncheon held of federal employees.

9 Annually during PSRW. The awards honor more than 200 Maryland federal employees and Service members Have your agency leaders blog or tweet about in 19 different job excellence categories. The event is PSRW and the importance of Public Service . attended by more than 1,000 federal officials, employ- Display PSRW banners thanking agency employ- ees and military Service members, family members and ees inside and outside of your building. guests. Create an online thank you card and invite em- Award nominations are submitted to the FEB in Janu- ployees and the Public to write what Public Service ary each year. The awardees are selected by a screening means to them. committee of Maryland federal employees who choose Include the PSRW logo on your agency's website the Silver Award finalists and a blue ribbon panel of and use it in agency communications throughout private-sector executives who select the Gold winners.

10 The week. Agency employees nominated for an award will receive either a Gold, Silver or Bronze award. Create PSRW posters and display them in your of- fice, lobby and cafeteria. Present each employee with a certificate of grati- tude. Use your agency or employee print and electronic newsletters to publicize PSRW and the accom- plishments of agency employees. pu bl i c s e rv i c e reco gn itio n week Community Outreach One of the most important ways to achieve the goals of OTHER COMMUNITY EVENT IDEAS. Public Service Recognition Week is to engage your com- Offer behind the scenes tours and open houses munity in your celebration plans. Through proactive of government agencies and other familiar sites and direct outreach, we can improve citizen support such as military bases, City Hall, fire houses, post for government, a key element of Public health institu- offices, etc.